Deputies arrest man who led Tuscaloosa law enforcement on 36-mile car chase

TUSCALOOSA, Al.

Dustin Blake Smith

  Eight days following a 36-mile chase through Tuscaloosa County involving multiple law enforcement officers, 18-year-old Dustin Blake Smith was arrested by Tuscaloosa Sheriff's deputies after another pursuit.

Blake, from Duncanville, was taken into custody after a brief vehicle and foot pursuit, according to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office. Law enforcement officers from the Tuscaloosa Police Department, Sheriff's Office and U.S. Marshals worked together throughout the day Thursday to find Smith, whom he was with and which vehicle he was in.

At approximately 10 p.m. Thursday night, Tuscaloosa Police Department officers and sheriff's deputies traveled to a home in Elrod where smith was believed to be present. As they approached the residence, officers and deputies observed a green Chevrolet Cavalier leaving with three individuals in the car, one believed to be Smith.

Officers and deputies turned around on the vehicle and attempted to stop it, before the Chevy driver attempted to elude law enforcement. After an approximately 10-mile chase that reached top speed of 60 mph in a rain storm, the suspects stopped their vehicle and bailed out running into the woods. After a brief foot pursuit, Smith was taken into custody and transported by deputies to the Tuscaloosa County Jail.

Smith was charged with third-degree burglary, reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal mischief, two counts of attempting to elude and third-degree burglary in Marion County, with bonds totaling $22,500.

"I am extremely proud of the collaborative partnership with local and federal agencies," said Tuscaloosa County Sheriff Ted Sexton, according to a press release. "Working together, we took into custody a habitual Offender that fled from a Marion County court, traveled at speeds over 100 mph placing the public in danger during a 36 mile chase last week."

Smith was previously wanted after leading police on a high-speed pursuit throughout Tuscaloosa County earlier this month. Police noticed Smith when he drove a blue Ford Mustang going across the Hugh Thomas Bridges into Northport. The investigator knew Smith had felony warrants for third-degree burglary, second-degree theft of property and second-degree criminal mischief with the Marion County's Sheriff's Office.

Police said once a Northport officer in a marked unit pulled behind the investigator, both vehicles activated their emergency lights and sirens. The suspect then took off at a high speed, and the pursuit began.

During the pursuit, multiple agencies were involved including Tuscaloosa Police, Northport Police Department, Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Pickens County Sheriff’s Office. Tuscaloosa's police helicopter also assisted during the pursuit.

The pursuit started at the intersection of McFarland Boulevard and Highway 69 in Northport, turned onto Highway 43 North, Highway 171 and then onto an unknown dirt road.

The chase ended in a wooded area near Upper Columbus Road. Three people inside the car fled the vehicle, according to police. Officers caught one of the suspects, Cody Len Estes, who police said was in the front passenger seat when the pursuit started and switched with Smith to drive the vehicle during the pursuit. The pursuit reached speeds of 100 mph at times, police said.

During the pursuit, Smith threw a five-gallon paint bucket out the window at the investigator's vehicle, according to police. The third occupant inside the vehicle was a female, and no charges are pending on her. The pursuit lasted 30 minutes and covered 36 miles. Investigators obtained warrants on Smith from the pursuit.